After The Anthem

It's the seventh episode of After the Anthem, and Draft season is upon us. The lads preview the Re-Entry draft for all three Canadian teams, and who they should look to pick up during the draft and free agency. Then it's on to an extended discussion about Canadian soccer. This week Don Garber talked about Canadian roster rules, so the guys discuss how to get Canadians more playing time in Major League Soccer. Canada's interest in bidding for the 2026 World Cup was also reenforced early this week. The guys debate what a World Cup would mean for Canadian soccer and whether not it is feasible. Finally, Canada's U-20 women's squad is ripping it up in World Cup qualifiers, but can they get over the final hurdle? 

It's be a while! Mitchell Tierney of Waking the Red is back with Michael Norton of Last Word On Sports for the After the Anthem podcast. On this episode of the show the lads break down the month that was in Canadian Soccer. They start the discussion with Toronto FC, who let go of both of their goalkeepers this week as well as Manny Apario and Jackson. What do these roster moves say about the future of the organization? Next it's on to the Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact, who also have plenty of questions to answer with regards to their teams for next season. Finally, Canada recently wrapped up their first set of World Cup qualifiers, we break those down. Meanwhile, the women's national team has both Olympic qualifiers and U-20 Women's World Cup qualifiers around the corner, do we expect them to make both? 

Mitchell Tierney of Waking the Red and Michael Norton of Last Word on Sports break down the week in Canadian soccer. Speaking of breakdowns, they start out with Toronto FC, the only Canadian team not still competing in the MLS playoffs. What happened? Who can be blamed? What can be done about it? All that is answered... sort of. Then it is on to the team that ended Toronto's season: the Montreal Impact. The lads break down their conference semi-final before taking things out west where the Vancouver Whitecaps also look poised to advance after a 0-0 draw with the Portland Timbers. They take a break from the Canadian take to look at breaks that MLS may be taking during international windows, a big step forward for the league. Then it is on to the Canadian soccer wrap up where the talk about the upcoming CanMNT game being played on TSN, and the fact that Jonathan Osorio once again missed the callup. 

Because we are looking to try for more turnover than Toronto FC, Michael Norton of Last Word on Sports becomes the third host in as many weeks. Mitchell Tierney of Waking the Red sits shotgun. The lads start by breaking down a widely sucessful MLS decision day, and how its success was a combination of league brilliance and a perfect storm scenario. They then talk about the biggest game of the day, the 401 derby between the Montreal Impact and Toronto FC and examine how it effects both teams when they play each other in the playoffs on Thursday.The forgotten Canadian team, the Vancouver Whitecaps, get some love as well as they wrapped up their season with a convincing win against the Houston Dynamo and skip the first round. Finally, the lads talk referee controversy in World Cup qualifying. 

On today's show Mitchell Tierney of Waking the Red takes over the hosting chair with Arslan Siddiqui's mysterous disappearance. He and Michael Norton of Last Word On Sports immediately take the show off the rails as they make misunderstood political jokes. The discussion then turns to the matter at hand: the 401 derby that could decide everything for Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact. The lads talk about the possible outcomes, and what they would mean in the grand scheme of things. Then it is on to the Vancouver Whitecaps, who continue to struggle going into their final game of the season against the Houston Dynamo. Can the caps finally break their winless streak? Finally, next month is World Cup qualifying but where will it be shown on Canadian television? The boys discuss the importance of a TV deal for the CSA.